Treasurer-Tax Collector

COVID-19 had an unprecedented impact on the finances of most Americans. The federal government has stepped up with a number of programs to aid Americans, both individually and businesses financially. The Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector enhanced its Financial Literacy webpage at ocgov.com/ocfinancialtips to focus on COVID-19 tips for consumers and businesses. In addition to refreshing the COVID-19 financial resources as the information is updated and/or changed, the signature section is a Weekly Financial Tip focused on COVID-19 to protect consumers and businesses.

These tips offer ways for consumers and businesses to save money, avoid scams and educate themselves about money management. A listing of all prior financial tips is also included. The Financial Tip of the Week is available by subscription to the general public at ocgov.com/ ocfinancialinfo and is also released through the County’s social media.

Some Weekly Financial tips, which started in March 2020, include: Shopping Online, Watch this Video First; Protection for Renters during COVID-19; A Tool for Cutting Expenses; COVID-19 Ruined My Travel Plans, How do I get Back My The Office of Treasurer-Tax Collector has updated its Financial Literacy webpage to Money; and Coronavirus and your Mortgage. better serve consumers and businesses.

The website also includes the latest information on the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Stimulus payments in the COVID-19 section.

The webpage offers other educational tools such as a section for seniors, a financial empowerment toolkit, an IRS guide to identity theft and many other financial related topics to assist consumers and businesses on protecting their funds.

TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR AND STAFF MEET COUNTY PUBLIC FUND NEEDS DURING COVID-19

The Governor’s stay-at-home executive order came just before the April 10 collection of secured property taxes, which brings in about 50 percent of the County’s General Fund’s annual discretionary revenue in addition to significant revenue for the 200-plus local agencies. Treasurer Shari Freidenrich and staff jumped into action.

First, knowing that liquidity and availability of public funds would be at a premium with unexpected costs and reduced revenues, Treasurer Freidenrich had already begun working closely with staff to add additional liquidity options in early March. This proactive action ensured that liquidity was available to pay the increased COVID-19 expenditures.

Secondly, state law allowed the Treasurer discretion on canceling penalties for taxpayers unable to deliver their payment by June 30 due to direct COVID-19 impacts. Treasurer Freidenrich launched a campaign to inform impacted taxpayers to complete a special COVID-19 cancellation form and pay by June 30. This campaign included various forms of communications, including social media, website postings and email blasts. Over 3,000 penalty cancellations were received, approved and processed by staff by June 30.

Receiving the secured property tax funds by June 30 was critical because the County pays other local government agencies in early July the remaining uncollected secured property tax. Taxpayers did pay as hoped (only 11,500 were delinquent) and Orange County’s collection rate as of June 30 was 99.16 percent compared to 99.3 percent last year, with only $60.7 million unpaid versus $48 million. This saved the County from borrowing over $100 million if payments had not been received.

Due to the penalty cancellation policy implemented by the Treasurer, Orange County is on track to have one of the highest secured property collection rates in California. Treasurer Freidenrich is extremely proud of all the staff who worked hard during these challenging times to accomplish our core duties.